Chapter 048 The People from the Old House Come To Make Trouble

048 – The People from the Old House Come To Make Trouble

“Two, four, six…”

When Zheng Liu came back from buying the steamed stuffed buns, Qin Mian thanked and rewarded him with 5 Wen, sending him away first. While gnawing at the steamed stuffed bun in one hand, his other hand skillfully fiddled with the copper coins, “86, 88, 90…”

Only after a long time did he raised his head and exhaled easily, “My count is finished; a total of 2 taels and 319.”

Lei Tie quickly finished counting the last copper coin, “2 taels and 453.”

Qin Mian’s eyes brightened, “Hahaha! So much, and it only took one day to earn the monthly rent back.”

Lei Tie glanced at his (QM) hand, “Hire another waiter tomorrow. You’re only responsible for collecting money.”

Qin Mian only hesitated for a few seconds before he agreed, “Sure, it’s a matter of 500 Wen.”

They put all the money in the money pouch, locked the door and drove the cart home in the dusk. The night wind was colder than the day, especially when they passed over the mountains, the wind was stronger that the shivering cold went straight into the neck. Qin Mian sat next to Lei Tie, but he still had to press onto the man’s body. He also didn’t understand it himself why he didn’t get into the cart’s compartment.

Lei Tie switched to his left hand to raise the whip while his right arm enclosed a person.

“Wear more clothes tomorrow.”

“Go to the cloth shop tomorrow and buy some good cloth to make two scarves.” Qin Mian rubbed his stomach, “I’m not full. I’ll cook the hot pot at home.”

Lei Tie said: “400 bamboo sticks and not one is missing.”

Qin Mian understood his meaning and said with a smile: “Don’t worry. I need the bamboo sticks for other purposes.”

Until half a month later, the business of Eating Savory Restaurant still didn’t fall back, but was getting better with each passing time. Qin Mian added barbecue business in the shop. Due to the shop being too small, he discussed with the owner of the neighboring grocery store to occupy the open space in front of their store and gave the owner of the grocery store 100 Wen a month as fee. Qin Mian got along with people quite well and gave the owner a bowl of spicy hot soup or a few barbecues to eat from time to time. Consequently, the last trace of unhappiness in the owner’s heart disappeared.

The name of Eating Savory Restaurant gradually became well-known. Some people in the county even went to Running Water Town to eat hot pot and spicy hot soup, merely to get through this kind of spicy and numbness addiction. There were two restaurants that tried to make hot pot and spicy hot soup dishes. Unfortunately, no matter how much they tossed about, the taste of the soup was not as good as that from Eating Savory Restaurant. Another restaurant wanted to buy Qin Mian’s secret recipe, but Qin Mian refused without hesitation.

The ox cart of Qin Mian’s family dashed to the town every day and finally attracted the attention of an idle hoodlum in Green Mountain Village. In less than a day, the news about Qin Mian and Lei Tie opened a restaurant in the town blew across the village like a gust of wind.

“What?” Hearing the news, Du Shi accidentally broke a bowl.

“Second brother, does eldest brother really run a shop in the town?” Lei Xiangyi somehow couldn’t believe it.

Lei Xiangren looked anxious, “Really! It was Zhao Mazi who told me. At the beginning, I also didn’t believe it. I secretly went to the town to have a look and confirmed it. Not only that, the business is also very good!”

Lei Xiangli frowned to himself and said dully: “Even if eldest brother run a shop, how about it? It has nothing to do with us.”

“That’s not the case.” Lei Xiangren glared at him, “I saw he also hired two waiters in that shop. He would rather hire others than us. This is inexcusable, right?”

“This…” Lei Xiangyi felt a little uncomfortable. They had been looking for jobs recently, hoping to earn some money to support the household expenses, but they had not found any.

Lei Xiangli lightly snorted, “That’s their shop. It’s their business to hire people. Why must we be hired?”

Lei Daqiang’s face turned red and then white. At this time, he deeply regretted that he had quarreled with the eldest son. If there was no such thing, he could make the eldest son hire all of his brothers to help in his shop.

“Mother, says something.” At the thought of not taking advantage of that shop, Zhao Shi’s heart was burning with discontentment.

Qian Shi also eagerly looked at Du Shi.

Du Shi rightly and self-confidently said: “What else can I say? Of course, your own brother must run the shop with people on our side.”

Lei Chuntao frowned and said in a slow voice, “Mother, did you forget? We have already separated from eldest brother; he and we can’t be considered as a family.”

“You little girl!” Du Shi was so angry that she jabbed at her head. “You always favor outsiders!”

Qian Shi secretly cut a quick look at Lei Chuntao and hugged Du Shi’s arm affectionately, “Mother, what do you think that we should do now?”

Lei Xiangli and Lei Chuntao’s faces sank simultaneously.

Lei Xiangren squeezed to Du Shi’s side.

“What do you say, old man?” Du Shi did not immediately comment, but looked at Lei Daqiang.

Lei Daqiang patted the table, “Anyhow, it’s wrong for him to ignore his brothers.”

“Father, what should we do? We all will listen to you.” Lei Xiangren immediately asked.

Lei Daqiang squinted. “When they come back in the evening, go to them and ask them to arrange for you brothers to go help in the shop. If they don’t agree, force them to agree.”

Lei Xiangyi was surprised, “Isn’t that not good?”

Du Shi’s corner of her mouth cocked up and her voice was as gentle as a real loving mother, “The older generation had passed on ‘if brothers are of the same mind, their sharpness can cut through metal’[1]. Only by working together can you five brothers have a bright future.”

“Absolutely not, father.” Lei Xiangli abruptly stood up, “The relationship between us and eldest brother has been extremely bad. If you really do that, the two families will breed enmity.”

“Where is the relationship as serious as you said?” Lei Xiangren pushed him aside and disdainfully said, “Old Four, you are too timid. That’s not going to work for you.”

Lei Xiangli and Lei Chuntao looked at each other as there was a sense of uneasiness in their hearts. It was fine if it was only Lei Tie, but judging from the several interactions they had with Qin Mian, Qin Mian was definitely not a simple teenager; he could not be underestimated.

Lei Chuntao apprehensively spoke: “Father, mother, did you forget what fifth brother said last time?”

Du Shi recalled what Lei Xiangzhi had said to her last time when he came home, and she immediately hesitated. In case the small trouble became serious, it was truly going to be unfavorable for Little Five.

Upon seeing that the situation was going badly, Lei Xiangren blocked Lei Chuntao’s view. “Mother, I think Little Five thought too much. We can make more money for Little Five is a good thing. Don’t you think so?”

“Second brother!” Lei Chuntao stomped her feet.

Du Shi waved her hand and said: “What your second brother said is reasonable. I think we should arrange people to go to their shop. Not to mention, we can take this opportunity to restore the relationship in our big family. What do you think, old man?”

Lei Daqiang nodded in agreement, “That’s right, it’s for Eldest own good. Old Four, you watch the movement over there. As soon as they come back, immediately return to inform me.”

Without waiting for Lei Xiangli to talk, Lei Xiangren said, “Father, I’ll go. Anyway, I’m free.”

“Sure.”

Du Shi purposely served the dinner in advanced by nearly an hour. Lei Xiangren quickly finished his meal and went to the village. When he saw the familiar ox cart from a distance, he ran back home.

Qin Mian and Lei Tie were very tired after a busy day. When they got home, they bolted the courtyard’s gate and got ready to have a rest after taking a bath.

The courtyard’s gate was knocked before the water had boiled well.

“Who?” Qin Mian raised his voice as he asked.

“Eldest sister-in-law, we have come to see you.” Lei Xiangren happily called out.

Visit novelhall[.]com for the best novel reading experience

Qin Mian’s good mood was half spoiled. He glanced at Lei Tie, turned back and returned to the house.

Lei Tie spoke towards the outside of the courtyard: “You all go back. There is no need to see us.”

There was a moment of silence outside the courtyard. Lei Daqiang lightly shouted as he unyieldingly said: “Eldest, your mother and I also come, quickly open the gate.”

Lei Tie indifferently spoke: “Besides at every festival and New Year, it’d better for our two families to pay fewer visits to each other.”

“What are you talking about? You open the gate first and we talk.” Lei Daqiang’s patience was limited.

“I know what you want to say. There are enough staffs in the shop. Moreover, we had written agreement, it’s impossible to fire them. You can’t possibly make me arrange second brother and the others to work in the shop.” Lei Tie explained.

“You!” Lei Daqiang’s liver ached with anger.

Lei Xiangren also carried a stomach of anger, “Eldest brother, aren’t your words too unreasonable?”

Qin Mian had reached the end of his forbearance. He ran into the yard. “Second brother, you’re bullying people too much. At the beginning, we said that both sides should not interfere in each other’s family affairs. Or, do you all want to go to Li Zheng’s house and have a good look at the agreement to see if this was written in it?”

Visit novelhall[.]com for the best novel reading experience

“Fine, fine, fine!” Du Shi said in shrill voice, “Since you two don’t care about a few younger brothers, don’t blame me for bringing people to the shop to make trouble tomorrow.”

In the yard next door, the eavesdropping Zhou Erhao and his wife exchanged looks, and shook their heads as if by prior agreement, expressing sympathy for Lei Tie and Qin Mian.

Qin Mian said coldly: “Oh? You are welcome to try.”

Lei Daqiang was furious, “Let’s go!”

Angry and resentful, Lei Xiangren shouted: “Lei Tie, Qin Mian; you all are cruel!”

When outside the courtyard came the sound of distant footsteps, Qin Mian elatedly went back to the house.

Lei Tie walked with him. “They are really going do it. Don’t be afraid, I’ve my own countermeasure.”

“I’ll be afraid?” Qin Mian’s eyes flashed as he sneered. He walked into the house with his hands on his back and said calmly, “I’m waiting for their move. Actually, I’m looking forward to them making trouble. Heh, heh, heh.”

Lei Tie’s back felt inexplicably cold. This little wife of his was really…

“Won’t you come in to scoop out the water for bath?” Qin Mian prompted him from the kitchen.

The next day, the restaurant opened as usual.

The middle of the horse hour[2] was the busiest. Many people squatted on the roadside with bowls as they ate. This was a phenomenon that had never occurred in any other restaurant.

Du Shi, Zhao Shi and Qian Shi furiously came over.

As soon as Du Shi patted her thigh, she sat on the ground and howled, “O God, open your eyes. My eldest son is unfilial ah…” All the customers in the shop were surprised. They turned around to look at Qin Mian and Lei Tie with heads together and ears stretched out[3].

“What’s the matter? Which boss’s mother is this old woman?”

The two waiters; Zheng Liu and Wang Shun looked at each other helplessly.

“It is stepmother.” Qin Mian coolly provided a sentence as he walked out of the shop, “Everybody, since you don’t need ears to eat, you may as well listen to it.”

Hearing his words, Du Shi was stunned. Upon seeing that his expression looked confident yet normal, she felt inexplicably uneasy and somehow couldn’t keep going [with her plan].

“Mother, we all depend on you.” Zhao Shi whispered.

Qian Shi promptly pushed Du Shi’s back.

Note:

[1] If the brothers work together, they can overcome any difficulty.

[2] the period of the day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The middle period of it basically 12 p.m

[3] exchange confidential whispers; gossiping

Side Note: I put a Characters Guide chapter in the ToC before 001.